Recombinase polymerase amplification reagents and kits

ABSTRACT

This disclosure describes kits, reagents and methods for Recombinase Polymerase Amplification (RPA) of a target DNA that exploit the properties of recombinase and related proteins, to invade double-stranded DNA with single stranded homologous DNA permitting sequence specific priming of DNA polymerase reactions. The disclosed kits, reagents and methods have the advantage of not requiring thermocycling or thermophilic enzymes, thus offering easy and affordable implementation and portability relative to other amplification methods.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/705,150, filed May 6, 2015, which claims the benefit of priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/375,264, filed Feb. 9, 2012, which is a US National of PCT/US2010/037611, filed Jun. 7, 2010, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/184,397 filed Jun. 5, 2009, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to reagents and kits, and the use of such reagents and kits, for the amplification of nucleic acids. More specifically, the present invention relates to the use of reagents and kits in recombinase polymerase amplification processes.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Recombinase Polymerase Amplification (RPA) is a process in which recombinase-mediated targeting of oligonucleotides to DNA targets is coupled to DNA synthesis by a polymerase (U.S. Pat. No. 7,270,981 filed Feb. 21, 2003; U.S. Pat. No. 7,399,590 filed Sep. 1, 2004; U.S. Pat. No. 7,435,561 filed Jul. 25, 2006 and U.S. Pat. No. 7,485,428 filed Aug. 13, 2007, as well as, U.S. application Ser. No. 11/628,179, filed Aug. 30, 2007; Ser. No. 11/800,318 filed May 4, 2007 and 61/179,793 filed May 20, 2009; the disclosures of the foregoing patents and patent applications are each hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety). RPA depends upon components of the cellular DNA replication and repair machinery. The notion of employing some of this machinery for in vitro DNA amplification has existed for some time (Zarling et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,223,414), however the concept has not transformed to a working technology until recently as, despite a long history of research in the area of recombinase function involving principally the E. coli RecA protein, in vitro conditions permitting sensitive amplification of DNA have only recently been determined (Piepenburg et al. U.S. Pat. No. 7,399,590, also Piepenburg et al., PlosBiology 2006). Development of a ‘dynamic’ recombination environment having adequate rates of both recombinase loading and unloading that maintains high levels of recombination activity for over an hour in the presence of polymerase activity proved technically challenging and needed specific crowding agents, notably PEG molecules of high molecular weight (e.g., Carbowax 20M molecular weight 15-20,000 and PEG molecular weight 35,000), in combination with the use of recombinase-loading factors, specific strand-displacing polymerases and a robust energy regeneration system.

The RPA technology depended critically on the empirical finding that high molecular weight polyethylene glycol species (particularly >10,000 Daltons or more) very profoundly influenced the reaction behavior. It has previously been discovered that polyethylene glycol species ranging in size from at least molecular weight 12,000 to 100,000 stimulate RPA reactions strongly. While it is unclear how crowding agents influence processes within an amplification reaction, a large variety of biochemical consequences are attributed to crowding agents and are probably key to their influence on RPA reactions.

Crowding agents have been reported to enhance the interaction of polymerase enzymes with DNA (Zimmerman and Harrison, 1987), to improve the activity of polymerases (Chan E. W. et al., 1980), to influence the kinetics of RecA binding to DNA in the presence of SSB (Lavery P E, Kowalczykowski S C. J Biol Chem. 1992 May 5; 267(13):9307-14). Crowding agents are reported to have marked influence on systems in which co-operative binding of monomers is known to occur such as during rod and filament formation (Rivas et al., 2003) by increasing association constants by potentially several orders of magnitude (see Minton, 2001). In the RPA system multiple components rely on co-operative binding to nucleic acids, including the formation of SSB filaments, recombinase filaments, and possibly the condensation of loading agents such as UvsY. Crowding agents are also well known to enhance the hybridization of nucleic acids (Amasino, 1986), and this is a process that is also necessary within RPA reactions. Finally, and not least, PEG is known to drive the condensation of DNA molecules in which they change from elongated structures to compact globular or toroidal forms, thus mimicking structures more common in many in vivo contexts (see Lerman, 1971; also see Vasilevskaya. et. al., 1995; also see Zinchenko and Anatoly, 2005) and also to affect the supercoiling free energy of DNA (Naimushin et al., 2001).

Without intending to be bound by theory, it is likely that crowding agents influence the kinetics of multiple protein-protein, protein-nucleic acid, and nucleic acid-nucleic acid interactions within the reaction. The dependence on large molecular weight crowding agents for the most substantial reaction improvement (probably greater than about 10,000 Daltons in size) may reflect a need to restrict the crowding effect to reaction components over a certain size (for example oligonucleotides, oligonucleotide:protein filaments, duplex products, protein components) while permitting efficient diffusion of others (say nucleotides, smaller peptides such as UvsY). Further, it may also be that the high molecular weight preference might reflect findings elsewhere that as PEG molecular weight increases the concentration of metal ions required to promote DNA condensation decreases. In any case it is an empirical finding that RPA is made effective by the use of high molecular weight polyethylene glycols.

In addition to a need for specific type of ‘crowded’ reaction conditions as described above (reaction in the presence of crowding agents), effective RPA reaction kinetics depend on a high degree of ‘dynamic’ activity within the reaction with respect to recombinase-DNA interactions. In other words, the available data which includes (i) reaction inhibition by ATP-γ-S, or removal of the acidic C terminus of RecA or UvsX, and (ii) inhibition by excessive ATP (Piepenburg et al., 2006) suggest that not only is it important that recombinase filaments can be formed rapidly, but also important that they can disassemble quickly. This data is consistent with predictions made in earlier U.S. Pat. No. 7,270,981. Rapid filament formation ensures that at any given moment there will be a high steady state level of functional recombinase-DNA filaments, while rapid disassembly ensures that completed strand exchange complexes can be accessed by polymerases.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention provides a kit and reagents for, as well as methods of, DNA amplification, termed RPA. RPA comprises the following steps (See FIG. 1 ): First, a recombinase agent is contacted with a first and a second nucleic acid primer to form a first and a second nucleoprotein primer. Second, the first and second nucleoprotein primers are contacted to a double stranded target sequence to form a first double stranded structure at a first portion of said first strand and form a double stranded structure at a second portion of said second strand so the 3′ ends of said first nucleic acid primer and said second nucleic acid primer are oriented towards each other on a given template DNA molecule. Third, the 3′ end of said first and second nucleoprotein primers are extended by DNA polymerases to generate first and second double stranded nucleic acids, and first and second displaced strands of nucleic acid. Finally, the second and third steps are repeated until a desired degree of amplification is reached.

In one aspect, embodiments of the present invention provide compositions and kits for recombinase polymerase amplification processes of DNA amplification of a target nucleic acid molecule, which include one or more freeze dried pellets. For example, each freeze dried pellet includes a combination of the following reagents in the following concentrations (which unless otherwise indicated can be the concentration either when reconstituted or when freeze dried): (1) 1.5%-5% (weight/lyophilization mixture volume) of polyethylene glycol (e.g., 2.28% (weight/lyophilization mixture volume) of polyethylene glycol with a molecular weight of 35 kilodaltons); (2) 2.5%-7.5% weight/volume of trehalose (e.g., 5.7%); (3) 0-60 mM Tris buffer; (4) 1-10 mM DTT; (5) 150-400 μM dNTPs; (6) 1.5-3.5 mM ATP; (7) 100-350 ng/μL uvsX recombinase; (8) optionally 50-200 ng/μL uvsY; (9) 150-800 ng/μL gp32; (10) 30-150 ng/μL Bacillus subtilis Pol I (Bsu) polymerase or S. aureus Pol I large fragment (Sau polymerase); (11) 20-75 mM phosphocreatine; and (12) 10-200 ng/μL creatine kinase.

In another aspect, rehydration buffers for reconstituting freeze dried pellets for nucleic acid amplification are provided. In some embodiments, the rehydration buffer for reconstituting the freeze dried pellets are included with the kits described herein and, the rehydration buffer includes 0-60 mM Tris buffer, 50-150 mM Potassium Acetate, and 2.5%-7.5% weight/volume of polyethylene glycol. In certain embodiments, the kits further include a 160-320 mM Magnesium Acetate solution.

In certain embodiments of the compositions and kits described herein, the freeze dried pellets also include the first and/or the second nucleic acid primers for the RPA process. In certain embodiments of the foregoing kits, the freeze dried pellets also include a nuclease. For example, the nuclesase is exonuclease III (exoIII), endonuclease IV (Nfo) or 8-oxoguanine DNA glycosylase (fpg).

In certain embodiments of the compositions and kits described herein, the kits or compositions may further include positive control primers and target DNA to test the activity of the kit components. For example, the kit can include a positive control DNA (e.g., human genomic DNA) and first and second primers specific for the positive control DNA.

In another aspect, methods of recombinase polymerase amplification are provided comprising the following steps: First, one of the kits or compositions described herein that include one or more freeze dried pellets and rehydration buffer is provided. Second, at least one of the freeze dried pellets is reconstituted, in any order, with the rehydration buffer, the first and the second nucleic acid primers for the RPA process, the target nucleic acid, and optionally water to a desired volume. Third, Magnesium (e.g., Magnesium Acetate solution) is added to initiate the reaction. Finally, the reaction is incubated until a desired degree of amplification is achieved. In some embodiments, this last step comprises mixing the sample several minutes after the reaction is initiated.

In yet another aspect, embodiments of the present invention also provide methods to control RPA reactions, achieved by initiating the RPA reaction with the addition of Magnesium (e.g., with Magnesium Acetate). For example, the methods include at least three steps. In the first step, the following reagents are combined in a solution in the absence of Magnesium: (1) at least one recombinase; (2) at least one single stranded DNA binding protein; (3) at least one DNA polymerase; (4) dNTPs or a mixture of dNTPs and ddNTPs; (5) a crowding agent (e.g., polyethylene glycol); (6) a buffer; (7) a reducing agent; (8) ATP or ATP analog; (9) optionally at least one recombinase loading protein; (10) a first primer and optionally a second primer; and (11) a target nucleic acid molecule. In the second step, Magnesium is added to initiate the reaction. In the third step, the reaction is incubated until a desired degree of amplification is achieved. In certain embodiments, one or more of the reagents are freeze dried before the first step.

In yet another aspect, embodiments of the present invention also include nucleic acid amplification mixtures for isothermal nucleic acid amplification. For example, the mixtures include at least: (1) at least one recombinase; (2) at least one single stranded DNA binding protein; (3) at least one strand displacing polymerase DNA polymerase; (4) dNTPs or a mixture of dNTPs and ddNTPs; (5) ATP or ATP analog; (6) trehalose; (7) optionally at least one recombinase loading protein; (8) optionally polyethylene glycol (9) optionally a first primer and optionally a second primer; and (10) optionally a target nucleic acid molecule.

In another aspect, embodiments of the present invention include kits for nucleic acid amplification processes, such as isothermal nucleic acid amplification processes (e.g., RPA amplification of DNA) a target nucleic acid molecule, which include one or more freeze dried pellets. In some embodiments, the freeze dried pellets comprise polyethylene glycol. For example, the amount of polyethylene glycol in the freeze dried pellets is an amount to allow the amplification process to proceed (0.3%-7.5% weight/lyophilization mixture volume of PEG). In some embodiments, the freeze dried pellets comprise trehalose. For example, the amount of trehalose in the freeze dried pellets is 2.5%-7.5% weight/lyophilization mixture volume of trehalose.

In yet another aspect, embodiments of the present invention include any of the freeze dried pellets described herein. In some embodiments, the freeze dried pellets comprise polyethylene glycol. For example, the amount of polyethylene glycol in the freeze dried pellets is an amount to allow the amplification process to proceed (0.3%-7.5% weight/lyophilization mixture volume of PEG). In some embodiments, the freeze dried pellets comprise trehalose. For example, the amount of trehalose in the freeze dried pellets is 2.5%-7.5% weight/lyophilization mixture volume of trehalose.

In yet another aspect, embodiments of the present invention include rehydration buffers for reconstituting the freeze dried pellets described herein. In some embodiments, the rehydration buffer comprises polyethylene glycol (e.g., 0.3%-7.5% weight/volume of PEG). In some embodiments, a kit comprising any of the foregoing rehydration buffers is provided.

Other embodiments, objects, aspects, features, and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the accompanying description and claims. It is contemplated that whenever appropriate, any embodiment of the present invention can be combined with one or more other embodiments of the present invention, even though the embodiments are described under different aspects of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 schematically depicts an RPA reaction.

FIG. 2 depicts the structure of an annealed Exo-probe. The abasic THF residue is cleaved by exonuclease only when the probe is bound. Cleavage by exonuclease separates the fluorophore and quencher and generates fluorescent signal.

FIG. 3 depicts the structure of an annealed LF-probe. The abasic THF residue is cleaved by Nfo only when the probe is bound.

FIG. 4 depicts the structure of an annealed Fpg-probe. The abasic dR residue is cleaved by fpg only when the probe is bound. Cleavage by fpg releases the fluorophore from the probe and generates fluorescent signal.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Brief Description of RPA

RPA is a method (process) for amplifying DNA fragments. RPA employs enzymes, known as recombinases, that are capable of pairing oligonucleotide primers with homologous sequence in duplex DNA. In this way, DNA synthesis is directed to defined points in a sample DNA. Using two gene-specific primers, an exponential amplification reaction is initiated if the target sequence is present. The reaction progresses rapidly and results in specific amplification from just a few target copies (such as less than 10,000 copies, less than 1000 copies, less than 100 copies or less than 10 copies) to detectable levels within as little as 20-40 minutes.

RPA reactions contain a blend of proteins and other factors that are required to support both the activity of the recombination element of the system, as well as those which support DNA synthesis from the 3′ ends of olignucleotides paired to complementary substrates. The key protein component of the recombination system is the recombinase itself, which may originate from prokaryotic, viral or eukaryotic origin. Additionally, however, there is a requirement for single-stranded DNA binding proteins to stabilize nucleic acids during the various exchange transactions that are ongoing in the reaction. A polymerase with strand-displacing character is required specifically as many substrates are still partially duplex in character. Reduction to practice has established that in order to make the reaction capable of amplifying from trace levels of nucleic acids precise in vitro conditions are required that include the use of crowding agents and loading proteins. A system comprising a bacteriophage T6 UvsX recombinase (e.g., T6UvsXH66S), a bacteriophage Rb69 UvsY loading agent, a bacteriophage Rb69 gp32 and a S. aureus Pol I large fragment has proven to be effective.

Embodiments of the present invention provide for Recombinase Polymerase Amplification (RPA)—a method for the amplification of target nucleic acid polymers. They also provide for a general in vitro environment in which high recombinase activity is maintained in a highly dynamic recombination environment, supported by ATP. One benefit of RPA is that it may be performed without the need for thermal melting of double-stranded templates. Therefore, the need for expensive thermocyclers is also eliminated.

Throughout this specification, various patents, published patent applications and scientific references are cited to describe the state and content of the art. Those disclosures, in their entireties, are hereby incorporated into the present specification by reference.

In Recombinase Polymerase Amplification single-stranded, or partially single-stranded, nucleic acid primers are targeted to homologous double-stranded, or partially double-stranded, sequences using recombinase agents, which form D-loop structures. The invading single-stranded primers, which are part of the D-loops, are used to initiate polymerase synthesis reactions. A single primer species will amplify a target nucleic acid sequence through multiple rounds of double-stranded invasion followed by synthesis. If two opposing primers are used, amplification of a fragment—the target sequence—can be achieved.

The target sequence to be amplified, in any of the embodiments of the present invention, is preferably a double stranded DNA. However, the embodiments of the present invention are not limited to double stranded DNA because other nucleic acid molecules, such as a single stranded DNA or RNA can be turned into double stranded DNA by one of skill in the art using known methods. Suitable double stranded target DNA may be a genomic DNA or a cDNA. An RPA of the invention may amplify a target nucleic acid at least 10 fold, preferably at least 100 fold, more preferably at least 1,000 fold, even more preferably at least 10,000 fold, and most preferably at least 1,000,000 fold.

The terms ‘nucleic acid polymer’ or ‘nucleic acids’ as used in this description can be interpreted broadly and include DNA and RNA as well as other hybridizing nucleic-acid-like molecules such as those with substituted backbones e.g. peptide nucleic acids (PNAs), morpholino backboned nucleic acids, locked nucleic acid or other nucleic acids with modified bases and sugars.

In addition, nucleic acids of embodiments of the present invention may be labeled with a detectable label. A detectable label includes, for example, a fluorochrome, an enzyme, a fluorescence quencher, an enzyme inhibitor, a radioactive label and a combination thereof.

Lyophilization of the RPA Reaction

One advantage of RPA is that the reagents for RPA, may be freeze dried (i.e., lyophilized) before use. Freeze dried reagents offer the advantage of not requiring refrigeration to maintain activity. For example, a tube of RPA reagents may be stored at room temperature. This advantage is especially useful in field conditions where access to refrigeration is limited. Freeze dried reagents also offer the advantage of long term storage without significant activity loss. For example, a tube of RPA reagents may be stored at −20° C. for up to six months without significant activity loss.

While lyophilization is a well-established process there is no guarantee that all components of a reaction system will successfully be co-lyophilized and reconstituted under the same conditions. We have attempted to lyophilize RPA reactions with and without various of the final reaction components. The disaccharide sugar trehalose proves in these experiments to be required to stabilize the lyophilisate, permitting room temperature storage for at least 10 days. We have also found that it is preferable to exclude the salt (e.g., Potassium Acetate) and reduce the buffer concentration to 25 mM of Tris or less from the lyophilisate, to maximize its stability-particularly for storage above 0° C.

We have also found that, if salt is present in the lyophilisate, polyethylene glycol is required to stabilize the lyophilisate. By contrast, if salt is not present, then PEG is not required to stabilize the lyophilizate, and need only be provided in the rehydration buffer. A typical RPA reaction will have a final PEG concentration in the reaction of 5%-6% (w/v).

In addition trehalose and PEG, the reagents that can be freeze dried before use can include, at least, the recombinase, the single stranded DNA binding protein, the DNA polymerase, the dNTPs or the mixture of dNTPs and ddNTPs, the reducing agent, the ATP or ATP analog, the recombinase loading protein, and the first primer and optionally a second primer or a combination of any of these.

In some embodiments, the RPA reagents may be freeze dried onto the bottom of a tube, or on a bead (or another type of solid support). In use, the reagents are reconstituted with buffer (a) Tris-Acetate buffer at a concentration of between 0 mM to 60 mM; (b) 50 mM to 150 mM Potassium Acetate and (c) polyethylene glycol at a concentration of between 2.5% to 7.5% by weight/volume. If the primers were not added before freeze drying, they can be added at this stage. Finally, a target nucleic acid, or a sample suspected of containing a target nucleic acid is added to begin the reaction. The target, or sample, nucleic acid may be contained within the reconstitution buffer as a consequence of earlier extraction or processing steps. The reaction is incubated until a desired degree of amplification is achieved.

We have found that it is possible to increase the sensitivity of the RPA reaction by agitating or mixing the sample several minutes (e.g., two, three, four, five or six minutes) after reconstituting and initiating the reaction. For example, after reconstituting and initiating the RPA reaction, the tube containing the RPA reaction is placed into an incubator block set to a temperature of 37° C. and is incubated for 4 minutes. The sample is then taken out of the incubator, vortexed and spun down. The sample is then returned to the incubator block and incubated for an additional 15-40 minutes.

In one aspect, embodiments of the present invention comprise kits for performing RPA reactions. In certain embodiments, the kits include one or more freeze dried pellets each including a combination of reagents for performing RPA reactions. In certain embodiments, the kits comprise 8 freeze dried pellets. In some embodiments, the kits comprise 96 freeze dried pellets. If desired, the freeze dried reagents may be stored for 1 day, 1 week, 1 month or 1 year or more before use.

In certain embodiments, the pellets can be assembled by combining each reagent in the following concentrations (which unless otherwise indicated can be the concentration either when reconstituted or when freeze dried): (1) 1.5%-5% (weight/lyophilization mixture volume) of polyethylene glycol; (2) 2.5%-7.5% weight/volume of trehalose; (3) 0-60 mM Tris buffer; (4) 1-10 mM DTT; (5) 150-400 μM dNTPs; (6) 1.5-3.5 mM ATP; (7) 100-350 ng/μL uvsX recombinase; (8) optionally 50-200 ng/μL uvsY; (9) 150-800 ng/μL gp32; (10) 30-150 ng/μL Bsu polymerase or Sau polymerase; (11) 20-75 mM phosphocreatine; and (12) 10-200 ng/μL creatine kinase. For example, the reagents in the solution mixture frozen for lyophilization can have approximately the following concentrations: (1) 2.28% weight/volume of polyethylene glycol with a molecular weight of 35 kilodaltons; (2) 5.7% weight/volume of trehalose; (3) 25 mM Tris buffer; (4) 5 mM DTT; (5) 240 μM dNTPs; (6) 2.5 mM ATP; (7) 260 ng/μL uvsX recombinase; (8) 88 ng/μL uvsY; (9) 254 ng/μL gp32; (10) 90 ng/μL Bsu polymerase or Sau polymerase; (11) 50 mM phosphocreatine; and (12) 100 ng/μL creatine kinase. The reagents may be freeze dried onto the bottom of a tube or in a well of a multi-well container. The reagents may be dried or attached onto a mobile solid support such as a bead or a strip, or a well.

While it is often preferred that the volume of the reagent mixture that is frozen and lyophilized is the same as the final volume of the RPA reaction after rehydration, this is not necessary. For example, an 80 μL volume of reagents can be freeze dried, which can then be reconstituted to a final RPA reaction volume of 50 μL.

In certain embodiments, the kits further include a rehydration buffer for reconstituting the freeze dried pellets, where the rehydration buffer includes 0-60 mM Tris buffer, 50-150 mM Potassium Acetate, and 0.3%-7.5% weight/volume of polyethylene glycol. For example, the rehydration buffer includes approximately 25 mM Tris buffer, 100 mM Potassium Acetate, and 5.46% weight/volume of polyethylene glycol with a molecular weight of 35 kilodaltons. In certain embodiments, the kit will comprise 4 mL of rehydration buffer.

In certain embodiments, the kits further include a 160-320 mM Magnesium Acetate solution (e.g., about 280 mM Magnesium Acetate solution). In some embodiments, the kit will comprise 250 μl of the Magnesium Acetate solution. In other embodiments, the rehydration buffer itself will comprise 8-16 mM Magnesium Acetate (e.g., about 14 mM Magnesium Acetate).

In certain embodiments of the foregoing kits, the freeze dried pellets also include the first and/or the second nucleic acid primers for the RPA process. In certain embodiments of the foregoing kits, the freeze dried pellets also include 50-200 ng/μL of either exonuclease III (exoIII), endonuclease IV (Nfo) or 8-oxoguanine DNA glycosylase (fpg).

In any of the foregoing embodiments, the kit may further include positive control primers and target DNA to test the activity of the kit components. For example, the kit can include a positive control DNA (e.g., human genomic DNA) and first and second primers specific for the positive control DNA.

In yet another aspect, embodiments of the present invention also include nucleic acid amplification mixtures for isothermal nucleic acid amplification. For example, the mixtures include at least: (1) at least one recombinase; (2) at least one single stranded DNA binding protein; (3) at least one strand displacing polymerase DNA polymerase; (4) dNTPs or a mixture of dNTPs and ddNTPs; (5) ATP or ATP analog; (6) trehalose; (7) optionally at least one recombinase loading protein; (8) optionally polyethylene glycol (9) optionally a first primer and optionally a second primer; and (10) optionally a target nucleic acid molecule.

In another aspect, embodiments of the present invention include kits for nucleic acid amplification processes, such as isothermal nucleic acid amplification processes (e.g., RPA amplification of DNA) a target nucleic acid molecule, which include one or more freeze dried pellets. In some embodiments, the freeze dried pellets comprise polyethylene glycol. For example, the amount of polyethylene glycol in the freeze dried pellets is an amount to allow the amplification process to proceed (0.3%-7.5% weight/lyophilization mixture volume of PEG). In some embodiments, the freeze dried pellets comprise trehalose. For example, the amount of trehalose in the freeze dried pellets is 2.5%-7.5% weight/lyophilization mixture volume of trehalose.

In yet another aspect, embodiments of the present invention include any of the freeze dried pellets described herein. In some embodiments, the freeze dried pellets comprise polyethylene glycol. For example, the amount of polyethylene glycol in the freeze dried pellets is an amount to allow the amplification process to proceed (0.3%-7.5% weight/lyophilization mixture volume of PEG). In some embodiments, the freeze dried pellets comprise trehalose. For example, the amount of trehalose in the freeze dried pellets is 2.5%-7.5% weight/lyophilization mixture volume of trehalose.

In yet another aspect, embodiments of the present invention include rehydration buffers for reconstituting the freeze dried pellets described herein. In some embodiments, the rehydration buffer comprises polyethylene glycol (e.g., 0.3%-7.5% weight/volume of PEG). In some embodiments, a kit comprising any of the foregoing rehydration buffers is provided.

RPA Initiation by Magnesium

In another aspect, methods of recombinase polymerase amplification are provided comprising the following steps: First, one of the foregoing kits that include one or more freeze dried pellets and rehydration buffer is provided. Second, at least one of the freeze dried pellets is reconstituted, in any order, with the rehydration buffer, the first and the second nucleic acid primers for the RPA process, the target nucleic acid, and optionally water to a desired volume. Third, Magnesium (e.g., Magnesium Acetate solution) is added to initiate the reaction. Finally, the reaction is incubated until a desired degree of amplification is achieved.

RPA is a versatile method, but it can be improved by incorporation of features to control the RPA reaction. Embodiments of the present invention also provide methods to control RPA reactions, achieved by initiating the RPA reaction with the addition of Magnesium (e.g., with Magnesium Acetate). For example, the method includes at least three steps. In the first step, the following reagents are combined in a solution in the absence of Magnesium: (1) at least one recombinase; (2) at least one single stranded DNA binding protein; (3) at least one DNA polymerase; (4) dNTPs or a mixture of dNTPs and ddNTPs; (5) a crowding agent (e.g., polyethylene glycol); (6) a buffer; (7) a reducing agent; (8) ATP or ATP analog; (9) optionally at least one recombinase loading protein; (10) a first primer and optionally a second primer; and (11) a target nucleic acid molecule. In the second step, Magnesium is added to initiate the reaction. In the third step, the reaction is incubated until a desired degree of amplification is achieved. In certain embodiments, one or more of the reagents are freeze dried before the first step. Furthermore, it is possible to initiate a plurality of RPA reactions simultaneously by the simultaneous addition of Magnesium to each reaction.

EXAMPLES

The present invention is further defined in the following Examples. It should be understood that these Examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only. From the above discussion and these Examples, one skilled in the art can ascertain the essential characteristics of this invention, and without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, can make various changes and modifications of the invention to adapt it to various uses and conditions.

Example 1 Reagents for RPA Reactions

To form a freeze dried reaction pellet for a typical single basic RPA reaction, the following RPA reagents with the indicated concentrations are freeze dried (lyophilized) onto the bottom of a tube:

BASIC RPA FREEZE DRIED REACTION PELLET: Component Concentration PEG 35,000 2.28% (w/v) Trehalose 5.7% (w/v) UvsX recombinase 260 ng/μL UvsY 88 ng/μL Gp32 254 ng/μL Sau polymerase 90 ng/μL ATP 2.5 mM dNTPs 240 μM Tris buffer 25 mM DTT 5 mM Phosphocreatine 50 mM Creatine kinase 100 ng/μL

For reconstituting the freeze dried reaction pellet, a rehydration solution is prepared from the following rehydration buffer:

REHYDRATION BUFFER: Component Concentration Tris buffer 25 mM Potassium Acetate 100 mM PEG 35,000 5.46% (w/v)

Unlike PCR, which requires small volumes for rapid temperature change, there is no limit to the reaction volume of RPA. Reaction volumes of 25 μL, 50 μL, 100 μL, 1 mL, 10 mL and 100 mL or larger may be performed in one vessel. For the examples given below, a reaction volume of 50 μL is used.

To permit monitoring of the RPA reaction, a nuclease may also be added to each freeze dried reaction pellet. For example, the “Exo RPA Freeze Dried Reaction Pellet” is the basic RPA freeze-dried reaction pellet plus 96 ng/μL exonuclease III (exoIII). Similarly, the “Nfo RPA Freeze Dried Reaction Pellet” is the basic RPA freeze-dried reaction pellet plus 62 ng/μL endonuclease IV (Nfo). Finally, the “Fpg RPA Freeze Dried Reaction Pellet” is the basic RPA freeze-dried reaction pellet plus 114 ng/μL 8-oxoguanine DNA glycosylase (fpg).

The tubes with the freeze dried pellets can be vacuum-sealed in pouches, for example in 12 strips of 8 pouches/strip for a total of 96 RPA reactions. While the vacuum-sealed pouches can be stored at room temperature for days without loss of activity, long term storage (up to at least about six months) at −20° C. is preferred. The rehydration buffer can be stored as frozen aliquots, for example 4×1.2 mL aliquots. For long term storage (up to at least about six months), storage at −20° C. is preferred. Unused rehydration buffer can be refrozen, or stored at 4° C. for up to 1 week. However, excessive freeze-thaw cycles should be avoided.

Example 2 Basic RPA Reaction

A basic RPA reaction for each sample is established by reconstituting the basic RPA freeze-dried reaction pellet of Example 1 with a suitable rehydration solution. The rehydration solution is prepared from the rehydration buffer of Example 1, amplification primers, and template (and water to a total volume of 47.5 μL per sample).

The components of the rehydration solution can be combined in a master-mix for the number of samples required. In some circumstances, for example when performing a primer screen, a number of different rehydration solutions are to be made (here according to the number of primer pairs being tested). In that case components common to all reactions (e.g., template, rehydration buffer, water) is prepared as a master-mix, distributed in a corresponding volume into fresh tubes, and is combined with the required volume of the different primer pairs. The different rehydration solutions are then used as normal according to the protocol below.

The reaction is initiated by the addition of 2.5 μL of a 280 mM Magnesium-Acetate solution, bringing the final reaction volume to 50 μL per sample.

For each sample, the rehydration solution is prepared by adding 2.4 μL of the first primer (10 μM), 2.4 μL of the second primer (10 μM), the Template and H₂O to a total volume of 18 μL. 29.5 μL of the rehydration buffer of Example 1 is added. The rehydration solution is then vortexed and is spun briefly.

For each sample, the 47.5 μL of rehydration solution is transferred to a basic RPA freeze-dried reaction pellet of Example 1. The sample is mixed by pipetting up and down until the entire pellet has been resuspended.

For each sample, 2.5 μL of 280 mM Magnesium-Acetate is added and is mixed well. One way to do this simultaneously for many samples is to place the Magnesium-Acetate into the lid of the reaction tubes and then spin it down into the tubes to initiate the reactions. The reaction mixture is vortexed briefly and is spun down once again.

The tubes are place into a suitable incubator block (e.g., set to a temperature of 37-39° C.) and are incubated for 4 minutes. For ultra-high sensitivity, after 4 minutes, the samples are taken out of the incubator, vortexed, spun down and returned to the incubator block. The total incubation time is 20-40 minutes. If a timecourse of the reaction is desired the incubation time is adjusted as required. After the reaction is completed, the outcome of each reaction is typically analyzed by an endpoint method, such as agarose-gel-electrophoresis.

Example 3 Detection Probes for Use with RPA Reactions

A detection probe can be used to monitor RPA reactions. The probe is a third oligonucleotide primer which recognizes the target amplicon and is typically homologous to sequences between the main amplification primers. The use of fluorophore/quencher with probes in real-time detection formats is a very convenient way to monitor amplification events in RPA reactions.

RPA technology is compatible with a variety of different types of oligonucleotide probes. The structures of three types—Exo-probes, LF-probes, and Fpg-probes—are each discussed below.

Exo-Probes

Exo-probes are generally 46-52 oligonucleotides long. Signal is generated by an internal dT fluorophore (Fluorescein or TAMRA) and quenched by an internal dT quencher (typically Black Hole Quencher (BHQ) 1 or 2) located 1-5 bases 3′ to the fluorophore. In this case, probes are restricted to contain sequences where two thymines can be found with <6 intervening nucleotides. One of the bases between the fluorophore and quencher is the abasic nucleotide analog, tetrahydrofuran (THF— sometimes referred to as a ‘dSpacer’). There should be at least 30 nucleotides placed 5′ to the THF site, and at least a further 15 located 3′ to it. When the probe has hybridized to the target sequence, Exonuclease III will recognize and cleave the THF, thereby separating the fluorophore and quencher and generating a fluorescent signal. The THF should be at least 31 bases from the 5′ end of the probe and 16 bases from the 3′ end. Finally, the probe is blocked from polymerase extension by a 3′-blocking group (e.g., Biotin-TEG). FIG. 2 depicts a typical annealed Exo-probe.

While there is no fixed rule describing the best position of a given probe relative to its corresponding amplification primers, care must be taken to avoid the possibility that primer artefacts can be detected by the probe. Although primers that have the same direction as the probe can even overlap its 5′ part, this overlap must not extend up to the fluorophore/abasic-site/quencher portion of the probe (i.e., the overlap of the primer should be restricted to the 5′-most 27 nucleotides of the probe or so). This design will prevent the inadvertent generation of hybridization targets for the ‘sensitive’ sequence element of the probe by primer artefacts. Primers opposing the direction of the probe should not overlap to avoid the occurrence of primer-probe dimers.

LF-Probes

LF-probes are often 46-52 oligonucleotides long and intended for detection of RPA reactions in simple sandwich assays such as lateral flow strips. The probe is blocked from polymerase extension by making the last nucleotide a dideoxy nucleotide. As in an Exo-probe, a THF is typically positioned about 30 bases from the 5′ end of the probe and 16 bases from the 3′ end. When the probe has annealed to the target sequence, Nfo nuclease will recognize and cleave the THF. This allows the 5′ portion of the cut probe to then act as a primer, ultimately leading to an amplicon containing the 5′ portion of the probe conjoined to the opposing primer. The amplicon is detected by virtue of labels attached to the 5′ end of the opposing primer (usually biotin) and to the 5′ end of the probe (usually FAM). The duplex formed is captured on a surface coated with the appropriate capture molecule (e.g., streptavidin for biotin or an anti-FAM antibody for FAM). RPA products are run on lateral flow strips, such as available from Milenia Biotec. FIG. 3 depicts a typical annealed LF-probe.

While there is no fixed rule describing the best position of a given probe relative to its corresponding amplification primers, care must be taken to avoid the possibility that primer artefacts can be detected by the probe. Although primers that have the same direction as the probe can even overlap its 5′ part, this overlap must not extend up to the abasic-site portion of the probe (i.e., the overlap of the primer should be restricted to the 5′-most 27 nucleotides of the probe or so). This design will prevent the inadvertent generation of hybridization targets for the ‘sensitive’ sequence element of the probe by primer artefacts. Primers opposing the direction of the probe should not overlap to avoid the occurrence of primer-probe dimers. The opposing amplification primer is usually labelled with biotin.

Fpg-Probes

Fpg-probes are generally 35 oligonucleotides long. At the 5′ end of the probe is a quencher (typically Black Hole Quencher (BHQ) 1 or 2). Signal is generated by a fluorophore (typically FAM or Texas Red) attached to the ribose of a base-less nucleotide analog (a so-called dR residue; a fluorophore/O-linker effectively replaces the base at the Cl position of the ribose) 4-6 bases downstream of the 5′ end. When the probe has annealed to the target sequence, fpg will recognize and cleave the dR, thereby releasing the fluorophore from the probe and generating a fluorescent signal. Finally, the probe is blocked from polymerase extension by a 3′-blocking group (e.g., Biotin-TEG). FIG. 4 is a schematic of a typical annealed Fpg-probe. FIG. 7 depicts the structure of an annealed Fpg-probe. The abasic dR residue is cleaved by fpg only when the probe is bound. This releases the fluorophore from the probe and generates fluorescent signal.

While there is no fixed rule describing the best position of a given Fpg-probe relative to the amplification primers with which it is used, care must be taken to avoid the possibility that primer artefacts can be detected by the probe. As a result any overlap between primers and the probe should be avoided.

Example 4 RPA Reaction with Real Time Monitoring Using Exonuclease III

A RPA reaction using exonuclease III is performed using a modified protocol of Example 2. Each sample is established by reconstituting the Exo RPA Freeze Dried Reaction Pellet of Example 1 with a suitable rehydration solution. The rehydration solution is prepared from the rehydration buffer of Example 1, amplification primers, template and an Exo-probe (and water to a total volume of 47.5 μL per sample). The reaction is initiated by the addition of 2.5 μL of a 280 mM Magnesium-Acetate solution, bringing the final reaction volume to 50 μL per sample.

For each sample, the rehydration solution is prepared by adding 2.4 μL of the first primer (10 μM), 2.4 μL of the second primer (10 μM), the Template and 0.6 μL of an Exo-probe (10 μM) as described in Example 3. H₂O is added to bring the total volume of the foregoing components to 18 μL. 29.5 μL of the rehydration buffer of Example 1 is added. The rehydration solution is then vortexed and is spun briefly.

For each sample, the 47.5 μL of rehydration solution is transferred to an Exo RPA Freeze Dried Reaction Pellet of Example 1. The sample is mixed by pipetting up and down until the entire pellet has been resuspended. For each sample, 2.5 μL of 280 mM Magnesium-Acetate is added and is mixed well to initiate the reaction.

The tubes are place into a suitable thermal incubator/fluorometer (e.g., isothermally set to a temperature of 37-39° C.) and are incubated while fluorescence measurements are periodically taken. After 4 minutes, the samples are taken out of the incubator, vortexed, spun down and returned to the incubator/fluorometer. The total incubation/detection time is 20 minutes.

Example 5 RPA Reaction Using Nfo

A RPA reaction using Nfo is performed using a modified protocol of Example 2. Each sample is established by reconstituting the Nfo RPA Freeze Dried Reaction Pellet of Example 1 with a suitable rehydration solution. The rehydration solution is prepared from the rehydration buffer of Example 1, amplification primers, template and an LF-probe (and water to a total volume of 47.5 μL per sample). The reaction is initiated by the addition of 2.5 μL of a 280 mM Magnesium-Acetate solution, bringing the final reaction volume to 50 μL per sample.

For each sample, the rehydration solution is prepared by adding 2.4 μL of the first primer (10 μM), 2.4 μL of the second primer (10 μM), the Template and 0.6 μL of an LF-probe (10 μM) as described in Example 3. H₂O is added to bring the total volume of the foregoing components to 18 μL. 29.5 μL of the rehydration buffer of Example 1 is added. The rehydration solution is then vortexed and is spun briefly.

For each sample, the 47.5 μL of rehydration solution is transferred to an Nfo RPA Freeze Dried Reaction Pellet of Example 1. The sample is mixed by pipetting up and down until the entire pellet has been resuspended. For each sample, 2.5 μL of 280 mM Magnesium-Acetate is added and is mixed well to initiate the reaction.

The tubes are place into a suitable incubator block (e.g., set to a temperature of 37-39° C.) and are incubated for 4 minutes. For ultra-high sensitivity after 4 minutes, the samples are taken out of the incubator, vortexed, spun down and returned to the incubator block. The total incubation time is 15-30 minutes. After the reaction is completed, the outcome of each reaction is typically analyzed by an endpoint method, such as a sandwich assay technique.

Example 6 RPA Reaction with Real Time Monitoring Using Fpg

A RPA reaction using fpg is performed using a modified protocol of Example 2. Each sample is established by reconstituting the Fpg RPA Freeze Dried Reaction Pellet of Example 1 with a suitable rehydration solution. The rehydration solution is prepared from the rehydration buffer of Example 1, amplification primers, template and an Fpg-probe (and water to a total volume of 47.5 μL per sample). The reaction is initiated by the addition of 2.5 μL of a 280 mM Magnesium-Acetate solution, bringing the final reaction volume to 50 μL per sample.

For each sample, the rehydration solution is prepared by adding 2.4 μL of the first primer (10 μM), 2.4 μL of the second primer (10 μM), the Template and 0.6 μL of an Fpg-probe (10 μM) as described in Example 3. H₂O is added to bring the total volume of the foregoing components to 18 μL. 29.5 μL of the rehydration buffer of Example 1 is added. The rehydration solution is then vortexed and is spun briefly.

For each sample, the 47.5 μL of rehydration solution is transferred to an Fpg RPA Freeze Dried Reaction Pellet of Example 1. The sample is mixed by pipetting up and down until the entire pellet has been resuspended. For each sample, 2.5 μL of 280 mM Magnesium-Acetate is added and is mixed well to initiate the reaction.

The tubes are place into a suitable thermal incubator/fluorometer (e.g., isothermally set to a temperature of 37-39° C.) and are incubated while fluorescence measurements are periodically taken. After 4 minutes, the samples are taken out of the incubator, vortexed, spun down and returned to the incubator/fluorometer. The total incubation/detection time is 20 minutes.

The details of one or more embodiments of the invention have been set forth in the accompanying description above. Although any methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the present invention, the preferred methods and materials are now described. Other features, objects, and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the description and from the claims.

In the specification and the appended claims, the singular forms include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Unless expressly stated otherwise, the techniques employed or contemplated herein are standard methodologies well known to one of ordinary skill in the art. All sequence citations, patents, patent applications and publications cited in this specification are hereby incorporated by reference herein, including the disclosures provided by U.S. Pat. No. 7,270,981 filed Feb. 21, 2003; U.S. Pat. No. 7,399,590 filed Sep. 1, 2004; U.S. Pat. No. 7,435,561 filed Jul. 25, 2006 and U.S. Pat. No. 7,485,428 filed Aug. 13, 2007, as well as, U.S. application Ser. No. 11/628,179, filed Aug. 30, 2007; Ser. No. 11/800,318 filed May 4, 2007 and 61/179,793 filed May 20, 2009. 

1-41. (canceled)
 42. A freeze-dried pellet for a recombinase polymerase amplification process of DNA amplification of a target nucleic acid molecule, said freeze-dried pellet comprising: a recombinase; a recombinase loading protein; a single-stranded DNA binding protein; a strand-displacing DNA polymerase; trehalose; a first primer; a second primer; and Tris buffer, wherein potassium acetate is not present in said pellet.
 43. The freeze-dried pellet of claim 42, further comprising dNTPs, DTT, and ATP; and/or polyethylene glycol.
 44. The freeze-dried pellet of claim 42, further comprising a nuclease.
 45. The freeze-dried pellet of claim 44, wherein the nuclease is selected from the group consisting of exonuclease III (exoIII), endonuclease IV (Nfo), and 8-oxoguanine DNA glycosylase (fpg).
 46. The freeze-dried pellet of claim 42, wherein said strand-displacing DNA polymerase is Bsu polymerase or Sau polymerase.
 47. The freeze-dried pellet of claim 42, comprising 25 mM Tris buffer.
 48. The freeze-dried pellet of claim 42, comprising 240 μM dNTPs.
 49. The freeze-dried pellet of claim 42, comprising 5 mM DTT.
 50. The freeze-dried pellet of claim 42, comprising 2.5 mM ATP.
 51. The freeze-dried pellet of claim 42, further comprising 50 mM phosphocreatine and 100 ng/μL creatine kinase.
 52. The freeze-dried pellet of claim 42, wherein said freeze-dried pellet is freeze-dried onto the bottom of a tube.
 53. The freeze-dried pellet of claim 42, wherein said freeze-dried pellet is freeze-dried in a well of a multi-well container.
 54. The freeze-dried pellet of claim 42, wherein said freeze-dried pellet is attached to a mobile solid support.
 55. The freeze-dried pellet of claim 54, wherein said mobile solid support is a bead or a strip.
 56. The freeze-dried pellet of claim 42, wherein said freeze-dried pellet is attached to a well.
 57. The freeze-dried pellet of claim 42, wherein the recombinase is uvsX recombinase.
 58. The freeze-dried pellet of claim 42, wherein the recombinase loading protein is uvsY.
 59. The freeze-dried pellet of claim 42, wherein the single-stranded DNA binding protein is gp32.
 60. The freeze-dried pellet of claim 42, wherein the recombinase is bacteriophage T6 uvsX H66S, the recombinase loading protein is Rb69 uvsY, and/or the single-stranded DNA binding protein is Rb69 gp32.
 61. The freeze-dried pellet of claim 42, wherein the trehalose is present at 2.5%-7.5% weight/lyophilization mixture volume. 